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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 47 entries starting with "U" of type "Conditions"
The UV index forecasts the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) light for a given day. The index helps people know what precautions to take to avoid sunburn or other skin damage from being in the sun too long. The UV index is listed on the weather page of many daily newspapers. Sun protection measures, such as...
An ulcer is a sore that develops on the skin (such as the skin around the ankles) or on a mucous membrane (such as inside the mouth, stomach, or intestines). Ulcers can be shallow or deep and can destroy the skin or the membrane where they develop. Ulcers can be caused by some types of...
Discusses ulcerative colitis, a common type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. Covers symptoms and what happens as the disease progresses. Offers home treatment tips. Discusses treatment with medicine and surgery.
Ultrasound is a test that uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of organs and other structures in the body. It does not use X-rays or other types of possibly harmful radiation. For ultrasound testing, gel or oil is applied to the skin to help transmit the sound waves. A small, handheld instrument called...
Image courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho. Figure 1 shows small normal-sized cysts. Figure 2 shows large cysts that affect the ovary and may cause pain.
Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho. This ultrasound picture shows a simple cyst with normal breast tissue around it. Because this type of cyst usually does not have any tissue or other particles in it, your doctor knows that it is fluid-filled and can be drained if necessary.
Ultraviolet light comes from the sun's rays but is invisible to humans. Two of the three forms of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB rays, reach the earth and can damage a person's skin and eyes. UVA and UVB rays are reaching the earth at greater intensities because of the thinning of the ozone layer. UVA...
The sunlight that reaches the earth has ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB) rays. These ultraviolet rays are the main causes of damage to the skin from the sun. UVA and UVB rays affect the skin's sensitivity to sun exposure in different ways. UVA: Can pass through window glass. Is not affected by...
Discusses basic care of your newborn's umbilical cord stump. Covers cleaning umbilical cord stump and around the navel (belly button) after the stump has fallen off. Discusses signs of infection and when to call your baby's doctor.
An underbite is a condition in which the lower front teeth sit farther forward than the upper front teeth. It can cause your chin to jut out, and you may have trouble chewing. An underbite can be corrected with orthodontic treatment, such as braces, or with surgery.
Body mass index (BMI), which measures weight in relation to height, is used to identify a possible weight problem for a child. A child with a BMI in the 86th to 94th percentile on a growth chart is usually considered overweight. A child who has a BMI below the 5th percentile may be considered underweight....
The results of some medical tests are reported in units per milliliter (U/mL). A unit is an arbitrary amount agreed upon by scientists and doctors. A milliliter is a unit of fluid volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter. A liter is slightly larger than a quart.
What is unplanned weight loss? Unplanned weight loss means losing weight without trying to. It may be caused by a medical problem, so be sure to see your doctor if you are losing weight without trying. If you are losing weight because you're exercising more or eating less, it is considered normal weight loss. What...
Unstable angina is a change in your usual pattern of stable angina. Your symptoms do not happen at a predictable time. For example, you may feel angina when you are resting. Your symptoms may be more frequent, severe, or longer-lasting than your usual pattern of stable angina. Your symptoms may not go away when you...
Untreated water is drinking water that has not been chemically treated, filtered, or boiled to eliminate infectious bacteria, viruses, and parasites (such as Giardia lamblia ). These organisms can cause diarrhea and illness. Many infections that result from drinking untreated water go away by themselves after a few...
Discusses test that uses X-rays to find problems in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Covers why and how it is done. Offers tips on preparing for the test. Covers risks. Looks at results and at what could affect the test.
Urea is a waste product that is made in the intestines and liver when protein breaks down. The kidneys then eliminate urea from the body in urine.
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. When the urethra is not well supported by the muscles and tissues around it, it can curve and widen. This is called a urethral prolapse (urethrocele). It is common for a bladder prolapse (cystocele) to develop along with...
Urinary incontinence means not being able to control the release of urine. Sometimes it's caused by a temporary problem, like a urinary infection, and goes away when the infection is treated. In other cases, it's caused by changes in the muscles or nerves around the bladder and the problem is an ongoing one. Treatment...
Discusses urinary incontinence in men. Looks at types of incontinence, including stress, urge, overflow, total, and functional. Covers causes and symptoms. Covers treatment with medicine or surgery. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.
Keep a daily diary of all liquids taken in and all urine released, whether voluntary or involuntary. Your health professional may also call this a voiding log, bladder record, frequency-volume chart, incontinence chart, or voiding diary. The diary is usually kept for 3 to 4 days. Record in your diary: The time and...
Learn more about leaking urine and why you should talk to your doctor about it.
Urinary problems and injuries are a concern in children. A young child may not be able to tell you about his or her symptoms, which can make it hard to decide what your child needs. An older child may be embarrassed about his or her symptoms. When your child has a urinary problem or injury,...
Both prostate cancer and its treatment may cause urinary problems. Urinary problems caused by prostate cancer The urethra—the tube that carries urine from your bladder and through your penis—passes through the middle of the prostate gland . When the prostate presses against the urethra, you can have trouble passing...
Take a minute to learn about a urinary tract infection and what you can do to feel better.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra, the organs that make up the urinary tract. UTIs in children usually occur if bacteria begin to grow in these parts of the body. Symptoms of a UTI can be hard to notice in a baby or young child. A...
Urologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary system in men and women and disorders of the male reproductive system. Urologists can prescribe medicines, perform surgery, and treat urination problems, such as problems holding urine (incontinence) and tumors or...
A urostomy is an opening in the abdomen created by a surgical procedure (radical cystectomy) to allow urine to flow to the outside of the body. This may be needed when a diseased or damaged bladder has to be removed. The urostomy (or ostomy) creates an opening that is called a stoma. Wound, ostomy, and...
Ice and cold packs can relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation from injuries and other conditions, such as arthritis. Types of ice and cold packs Ice towel. Wet a towel with cold water and squeeze it until it is just damp. Fold the towel, place it in a plastic bag, and freeze it for 15 minutes....
Learn how to take oxygen along when you travel by air, train, or cruise ship.
Tape occlusion is an inexpensive method of wart removal that involves covering the wart with tape. It is often called the "duct tape" method. Cut a piece of duct tape as close to the size of the wart as possible. Leave the tape in place for 6 days. If the tape falls off, put on...
Vaporizers and humidifiers help moisten the mouth and throat when breathing the dry, heated indoor air of the winter months. The mist from a humidifier may be preferred because of the risk of burns from steam vaporizers. Keep vaporizers and humidifiers out of the reach of babies and toddlers. A shallow pan of water in...
Learn how to use a mask spacer to give a child an inhaled asthma medicine.
Learn how to use your walker correctly so you can stay stable and safe.
Shake the inhaler and remove its cap: Step 1 Shake the inhaler and remove the inhaler cap. Check the inhaler instructions to see if you need to prime your inhaler before you use it. If it needs priming, follow the instructions on how to prime your inhaler. Place the mouthpiece into the spacer: Step 2...
A self-examination for dental plaque is done using a product, such as disclosing tablets, that stains the plaque on your teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth, the spaces between the teeth, and under your gums. It can harden into tartar. The stain lets you see how well...
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause pain and bleeding. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an invasive procedure that shrinks or destroys uterine fibroids by blocking the artery that supplies blood to them. During a UFE procedure, a radiologist places a thin, flexible tube called a...
Discusses uterine fibroid embolization (also known as uterine artery embolization), a procedure that blocks blood flow to fibroids in uterus. Covers what to expect after treatment. Explains why UFE is done and how well it works. Covers risks.
Uterine fibroids are growths on or in your uterus. Although they are sometimes called fibroid tumors, they aren't cancer. You don't need to do anything about them unless they are causing problems.
Guides you through decision to have surgery to treat uterine fibroids, which are also called myomas, leiomyomas, and fibromas. Covers what happens during surgery. Lists reasons for and against surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Guides you through decision to have UFE (also called uterine artery embolization) for uterine fibroids. Explains what uterine fibroids (myomas and leiomyomas) are. Lists reasons for and against UFE. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Uterine prolapse is a form of pelvic organ prolapse that occurs when a woman's pelvic muscles and ligaments become weak, causing the uterus to drop from its usual position. This allows the neck of the uterus (cervix) to bulge down into the vagina. Uterine prolapse causes a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen...
Fibroids can grow on the outer wall of the uterus.
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's lower abdomen in which a fetus grows during pregnancy. When a woman is not pregnant, her monthly menstrual period flows from the uterus. The lower part of the uterus (cervix) opens into the vagina. The opening to the cervix is narrow except during labor and...
The uvula is the small finger-shaped piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate in the back of the throat. It can usually be seen when a person opens his or her mouth wide. Although the exact purpose of the uvula is not known, some experts believe that it helps keep food from...
Uvulitis is an inflammation of the uvula, which is the small piece of finger-shaped tissue that hangs down from the soft palate in the back of the throat. The uvula can usually be seen when a person opens his or her mouth wide. Uvulitis is most often caused by an infection. Symptoms of uvulitis include...
Information on uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Explains that UPPP is a procedure to remove excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. Discusses effectiveness and risks.